An interesting loop. I do enjoy that Scorpion called out Lucifer on being like his father.

I always envisioned Hell as a time loop where no one can escape and no one can learn (or remember their last time around). One of the things that struck me about Zdunich and Bousman's carnival Hell was its theatricality, with everyone in a role as dictated by Lucifer. Those roles in my story are fluid, and it's just as easy to go from tormentor to tormented or back again. The intended implication at the end of the story is that the exact same thing was about to happen to The Scorpion that just happened to Renata.

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your comments! I'm glad you found it thought-provoking, if confusing. :)

Intriguing, but like Scorpion, I also don't get it. What was Renata's sin? Unable to trust anyone?

LOL Scorpion's punished for asking such a question.

For the previous reviewer, I think Renata's in the cycle.

Good story, funny to imagine The Scorpion as a 50's nerd and Renata as 50's bad guy. Little confused about the ending, did Renata become a carnie too or is she in the cycle of punishment? Why did couldn't the scorpion remember her?

Good story anyway.